Senegal’s former Prime Minister and leader of the PASTEF-Les Patriotes party, Ousmane Sonko, has publicly shared his account of the events leading to his removal from office. In a detailed statement, he described the conversations he claims to have had with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye prior to his dismissal.
Key meeting triggers rapid political shifts
Sonko pointed to May 25 as the turning point. He revealed that the Head of State summoned him immediately after his speech at the National Assembly. According to Sonko, the president expressed concerns that recent parliamentary remarks had escalated tensions within the government.
Ongoing friction at the highest level
The opposition leader maintained that discussions remained cordial but ultimately led to the decision to end their collaboration. He also noted that the possibility of his departure had been discussed multiple times since the legislative elections.
Sonko stated he had proposed either returning to his parliamentary role to allow for a new prime minister appointment or engaging in further talks to reach a mutually acceptable political arrangement. However, he claimed the president had consistently dismissed this idea until their final meeting.
Signs of strain in the executive branch
Over recent weeks, Sonko said he had noticed growing friction between the two leaders. He claimed to have raised these concerns repeatedly with the president, though their last discussion did not address the specifics of their separation.
He also rejected any suggestion that his removal was a consensual move, emphasizing that official narratives did not reflect the true nature of their discussions.
Sudden dismissal after presidential visit
Sonko recounted that the president had indicated plans to resume talks following a visit to Dakar’s Archbishop during Pentecost celebrations. Yet, he received a formal notification of his dismissal in a late-night message.
Minutes later, the Secretary-General of the Presidency announced his departure from the government in an official statement. This abrupt transition has now set the stage for a new political chapter in Senegal.
A fresh start in the National Assembly
With his return to the National Assembly confirmed, Sonko is poised to begin a new phase in his political career. This development also marks a significant shift in relations between the former prime minister and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, whose partnership once symbolized Senegal’s political renewal.
As the nation watches closely, Sonko’s version of events adds another layer to the evolving power dynamics within Senegal’s government.
